WAUSAU - On Tuesday afternoon, the Wausau Fire Department sent the following press release:

On September 25th, Wausau Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Clifford (CJ) Heiser was arrested by the Wausau Police Department after receiving DNA results concerning a criminal investigation of an alleged sexual assault while on duty. The initial complaint was filed with the Wausau Police Department on September 13th by a 29 year old female patient from the Wausau area after being transported by a Wausau Fire Department ambulance from the scene to an area hospital. No other Wausau Fire Department personnel were part of the allegation.

Once the fire department was made aware of the criminal investigation, Firefighter/Paramedic Heiser was placed immediately on administrative leave from the Department. Heiser is scheduled to appear in the Marathon County Courthouse on September 26th, on felony sexual assault charges. The Wausau Fire Department continues to be cooperative inthe ongoing criminal investigation. As always, it is our desire to see justice for victims of crime.

The Wausau Fire Department is deeply concerned about these allegations of illegal and inappropriate behavior by one of their members. We are committed to our mission and the safety and security of the citizens we serve. Firefighter/Paramedic Heiser was on administrative leave until this morning when he resigned his position as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Wausau Fire Department. Short and long termsolutions for the protection of future patients and Wausau Fire Department personnel are actively beingpursued.

The Wausau Fire Department, the Wausau Police Department, and the Mayor will be conducting a joint press conference at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, September 26th in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

RHINELANDER - A large open lot on Rhinelander's east side could soon fill in with a chain restaurant.

Cory Moritz-Hoffmann and her husband hope to build a Pizza Ranch next to Kwik Trip on Eisenhower Parkway. The pair of former Pine Lake firefighters got the idea about six years ago when they first went to a Pizza Ranch in Iowa.

They considered pursing a franchise then, but it was more than they could afford at the time. About two years ago, the Hoffmanns contacted an investor and saw an opportunity to turn their dream into a reality.

The commission is waiting on an expected payment of $300,000 from the federal government. In 2016, that money came in early September. As of last Friday, the commission wasn't expecting the payment until as late as November.

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